How to Find Ministry Supporters

If you are in full-time ministry, you know it is one of the hardest occupations in this day and age. Declining church attendance and complacent attitudes toward traditional religious practices and outreaches make it especially difficult. In ministry, "salaries" are more hoped for than written in stone, so it is imperative to find people who will support your cause in a way that everyone can benefit from your vision, including your family.

Instructions

1. Tend to your needs. Your biggest supporters are those who know your heart. People who "get" you and who understand what motivates you are more apt to financially support your worthy cause. This group includes your friends and family, who can support your ministry by supporting your basic needs such as food, clothing and utilities so that you can concentrate on your calling.

2. Ask for volunteers. People today are searching for a worthy ministry to stand alongside. Volunteers will allow you to manage your ministry more efficiently without sacrificing attention to a wider scope of issues. These volunteers can be found by simply asking fellow parishioners and charitable groups with similar causes to join your efforts.

3. Approach others in ministry. Ask everyone from your mentors to your peers to provide support by sharing much-needed items. For instance, if you are running a soup kitchen, ask for appliances and nonperishables. Christian Life Church in Grenada, Mississippi, focuses on the incarcerated and their families. They share overhead costs by allowing another ministry to use the church facilities on Sunday afternoons. These innovations keep organizations running smoothly and increase effectiveness.

4. Advertise. People are open to supporting worthwhile causes. But they can't support anonymous ministries. Let the public know what you're doing through networking, flyers and short radio plugs. Give an interview to your local newspaper. State the vision of your ministry, your needs and where people can donate time, money, supplies and materials.

5. Host fundraisers. Fundraisers are great ways to raise money and, just as important, public awareness. You can raise money through donations, pledges, spaghetti dinners and creative marathons, as in dance-a-thons or bowl-a-thons. Get creative and have fun with it.

References

• Use their facilities
• Mentored or ordained

Resources

• Run a ministry